Nowadays, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution for cannabis consumers. Sophisticated stoners seek smoking tools that fit their lifestyles, whether looking for a daily driver or a heady rig. Vitae Glass understood the assignment. The San Francisco-based brand recently launched a platform that allows people to create the perfect bong tailored to their individual needs.
RELATED: Meet Veazy: Storz and Bickel’s cutest (and most affordable) weed vape yet
Think of it as the “Build-a-Bear” of bongs: a fully customizable modular glass system. Founder Gordon Loi sought to design smoking devices for real life—pieces built to swap, stack, and adapt to every sesh.
GreenState had the chance to try out the Vitae Glass platform, creating a bong that meets the needs of a busy weed publication. This means a piece that’s durable, sleek, and smooth.
Building our bong, one click at a time
We visited the Vitae Glass site to start our build. The UX was a tad clunky and could use polish, but it’s easy enough to follow: pick a base, a connector ring, and a mouthpiece. There are several different designs to choose from, in a range of prices.
Additional upgrades include percolators to further cool your smoke or ash catchers to prevent resin and ash from getting into the main chamber. There’s also an optional Dab Module for extract fans who want to join the fun.
We started with the “Swiss Sphere” base ($185), which features an intricate pathway of large and small holes meant to diffuse smoke in the most delicious way. The optional green leaf bowl ($10 with base) with a pretty etched leaf was a must—for more reasons than one. TBases don’t come standard with a bowl, so unless you have a 14mm chamber lying around, you need to add one of Vitae’s on.
We then added the Olive Wood connector ring ($29.99), which is key to the modular function. The ring screws onto the base, with attachments screwing on top from there. If you want to add any of the upgrades on top of the standard fare, make sure to order extra rings.
RELATED: 5 rolling trays perfect for any type of sesh
The pièce de résistance is the Matrix Mouthpiece ($139). Featuring a gorgeous bonus percolator and ice catcher, it’s both function and fashion in one. The system came with a cork cap for the top, which is great for preventing dust and debris from entering the bong while not in use.
The result was a showstopper of a bong, with a commanding presence thanks to the intricate glasswork and towering height. Concerns about how to keep it clean entered our minds, but those thoughts took a back seat as we prepped for the inaugural sesh.
Putting our custom creation to the test
Our first rip from our Vitae creation was richly flavorful and shockingly smooth, likely thanks to the double percs. We did not expect such a stark difference, but it was noticeable: no harshness in the throat, no coughing, and no watery eyes.
The piece was also super sturdy, likely thanks, in part, to the hefty base. Additionally, all of the components are crafted from lab-grade borosilicate glass that’s 5 mm thick—nearly double the industry standard.
The final cost for our custom Vitae bong (dubbed “The Journalist”) was $373.98, a slightly steep price tag for most consumers in this economy. But given the quality and attention to detail (even the custom-cut, eco-friendly packaging felt high-end), the piece may be worth the cost. There are more affordable configurations available; we found the cheapest to be $214.98.
RELATED: E rig devices that’ll have you dabbing weed like a pro
Overall, the Vitae Glass “build a bong” is a fun concept that empowers cannabis fans to create the device of their dreams. While the website could use some improvement and the price may be off-putting, the final product may be worth the time and money spent. The result? A bong as personal as your wardrobe—and almost as pretty.
